Luke 2:42-52

Listen to Luke 2:42-52
42 And when he was twelve years old, 1they went up according to custom.
43 And when the feast 2was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. 3His parents did not know it,
44 but supposing him to be in the group they went a day’s journey, but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances,
45 and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him.
46 After three days they found him in the temple, 4sitting among 5the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.
47 And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.
48 And when his parents[a] saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, 6your father and I have been searching for you in great distress. ”
49 And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that 7I must be in 8my Father’s house? ” [b]
50 And 9they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them.
51 And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And 10his mother treasured up all these things in her heart.
52 And Jesus 11increased in wisdom and in stature[c] and in 12favor with God and man.

Images for Luke 2:42-52

Cross References 12

  • 1. 2:42 John 11:55
  • 2. 2:43 Ex. 12:15; Lev. 23:8; Deut. 16:3
  • 3. 2:43 [See ver. 41 above]
  • 4. 2:46 See Matt. 26:55
  • 5. 2:46 ch. 5:17
  • 6. 2:48 ver. 27; [ver. 49]
  • 7. 2:49 See ch. 13:33
  • 8. 2:49 John 2:16; 14:2
  • 9. 2:50 [ch. 18:34]; See Mark 9:32
  • 10. 2:51 See ver. 19
  • 11. 2:52 [1 Sam. 2:26]
  • 12. 2:52 [1 Sam. 2:26]

Footnotes 3

  • [a] 2:48 Greek 'they'
  • [b] 2:49 Or 'about my Father’s business'
  • [c] 2:52 Or 'years'
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®) © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2025